Bowling ball device



Au 25, 1964 1... RASSNER BOWLING BALL DEVICE Filed June 21, 1962 FIGURE 3 FIGURE 4 FIGURE I FIGURE 5 B V R l/ ,1 N am 2 m a 4 9 $5| a i P A m J J.h v m p QT;

FIGURE 2 LOUIS RASSNER Inventor By Ro United States Patent 3,145,479 BOWLING BALL DEVICE Louis Rassner, 602 82nd St., North Bergen, NIL, assignor of three percent to Robert I. Pearlrnan Fiied June 21, 1962, Ser. No. 204,107 3 Claims. (Cl. 33-174) The present invention relates to a bowling ball configuration which permits the bowler complete freedom with respect to his choice of his fingers and thumb positions, and especially with respect to the variation in angle and pitch of the thumb position. More particularly, it deals with a device employed for custom fitting bowling balls completely according to the individual characteristics of the bowler and in particular with respect to readily defining the most desirable angle and pitch of the thumb position without change of the span length subjectively considered most desirable by the bowler.

One of the difiiculties encountered in measuring people for the custom manufacture of a bowling ball of their preference is the fact that no two persons hands are exactly alike, nor are their preferred styles of delivery during bowling. Thus, for example, individual finger and thumb measurements vary, as do the preference with respect to the distance between the fingers, their relative position with respect to each other, and their relative position with respect to the thumb (which thus defines the span). Similarly, people have individual preference as to the relative position of the thumb with respect to the fingers, i.e. whether the thumb hole is drilled directly on the medial line between the fingers or to the left or right of the medial line and to what extent. Particularly important is the degree of pitch as well as angle of pitch of the thumb hole. As used in the present specification, the term pitch defines the degree of eccentricity of the passageway through the thumb plug retainer, i.e. it indicates the slope or degree of slope of the longitudinal axis of the thumb plug retainer relative to a perpendicular plane. The terms angle of pitch or angle are employed to denote the angle formed between the axis dividing the thumb plug retainer perpendicular to its lateral movement, and the line in a plane perpendicular to said axis (plane of lateral movement) connecting said axis to the furthest point of the circumference of the thumb plug retainer. The meaning of these terms will be made more apparent with reference to the attached drawings.

The angle and pitch and the ability to vary same in accordance with the individual bowlers preference is extremely important. Depending upon the bowlers style of delivery, the physical structure of his hand, fingers and thumb as well as the particular manner in which he withdraws his thumb upon delivery, both the pitch and angle of pitch of the thumb receiving hole will vary from individual to individual in order to give a proper fit and to enable the proper release of the thumb. Thus some people will prefer a thumb opening bored or positioned in a forward slanting direction while others might prefer an opening positioned in a reverse direction or at some intermediate position (various angles of pitch). Other people prefer configurations having various degrees of pitch; once again this being a matter entirely of physical structure, personal preference and comfort during release of ball. If the angle and pitch of the thumb hole are not correct, the thumb is restricted from free and easy release, result- B ithe?? Patented Aug. 25, 1964 ing in damaging friction and poor consistency in delivery. Thus the ball can hardly be considered a custom fit.

Numerous devices have been brought forth in order to satisfy these various requirements for forming a custommade bowling ball. Typically such devices employ movable finger members of adjustable size opening. After having set the desired position of the fingers relative to the position of the thumb hole, i.e. having set the span, the thumb hole configuration would then be adjusted in a manner approximating the desired characteristics of the thumb hole opening, as is usually set by a thumb plug. However, all these prior art devices suffered from various defects. A relatively complex structure was required with respect to attempting to give full leeway as to choice of the desired angle and pitch of the thumb receiving hole. Moreover heretofore such devices either had a fixed or set position for the pitch and angle of pitch, and had to limit freedom of choice as to the pitch and angle of the thumb hole or alternatively could change the configuration of the thumb hole only at the expense of changing the span length. Thus the would-be bowler would have to make some compromise in the over-all configuration of the bowling ball in order to allow for adjustment of the various elements going into its fit.

In accordance with the present invention means are taught for permitting variations of the angle and pitch of the thumb hole in a bowling ball or device for custom fitting a bowling ball in a manner free of the complexity of structure characteristic of the prior art devices, as well as permitting the bowler as well as the measurer complete free choice as to the desired ultimate configuration of the thumb hole. The present thumb hole defining configuration permits both angle and pitch of the ultimate thumb hole to be freely modified in accordance with .the desire of the bowler without changing the span between the thumb and individual finger receiving holes. More particularly, the present thumb hole defining device is characterized by a thumb plug retainer having a passageway adapted to receive a thumb plug (which is in turn adapted to receive the bowlers thumb), said passageway being concentrically positioned with respect to the top of the thumb plug retainer and eccentrically positioned with respect to its bottom. A thumb plug having a diameter suitable for fitting the dimensions of the bowlers thumb is inserted in the thumb plug retainer. The thumb plug retainer is normally chosen from a graduated series of thumb plug retainer having varied degrees of pitch. Thus the angle and pitch of the ultimate thumb hole is varied without change of the span length by the simple rotational movement of the thumb plug retainer (and thus the thumb plug) about its axis. The thumb plug retainer, once fixed in the position conforming to the desired span length, can thus be employed to vary both angle and pitch of the thumb hole desired.

In its broadest aspect the present invention contemplates the above thumb hole defining configuration as a part of a bowling ball device, i.e. either a bowling ball for actual use or a device for measuring a person for a custom bowling ball fit. However, it preferably is employed in combination with various additional features further described with reference to the attached drawings as a means of measuring a persons hand accurately and completely in accordance with his personal desires for the ultimate production of a custom made bowling ball whose finger and thumb holes, angles, positions, etc. are those defined by the bowling ball measuring device.

Regardless of how the fingers and/ or thumb is moved, in accordance with the present invention readings or measurements can be taken directly from the scales or rules affixed to the measuring device, eliminating the use or need for a separate scale.

With this device, readings directly from the ball can truly and accurately be taken, essentially simultaneously, of the following:

(1) The finger measurements;

(2) The thumb measurement; 1

(3) The spans between one or two fingers and the thumb;

(4) The distance of the thumb left or right of center;

(5 The degree of pitch of the finger;

(6) The degree of pitch of the thumb;

(7) The angle of the pitch of the thumb; and

(8) The weight of the ball (by removal or insertion of weights).

The plug retainers, both fingers and the thumb, are so constructed, i.e. calibrated and marked, as to permit direct readings to be taken that enable the driller to duplicate exactly the positions of the measuring ball, in the blank ball by center of hole drilling.

It is to be clearly understood that thumb plug retaining devices, or for that matter thumb plugs, having geometrical configurations deviating only slightly from the structure of the present invention fail to offer the above advantages. Thus a thumb plug retainer having a passageway which is eccentric with respect to both top and bottom portions of the thumb plug retainer and a constant diameter of wall thickness longitudinally at any particular point on the circumference of the passageway, would necessarily change the span during the rotation of the configuration about its axis. Similarly such a configuration could only define a single pitch. Such a configuration is, for example, shown in U.S. Patent 2,372,958 to Keith. Similarly a thumb plug retainer characterized by a passageway which is eccentric both at top and bot tom with the wall diameter at any particular point of a circumference of the passageway varying as one moves down the passageway, e.g. shown in U.S. 2,566,511 to Bassi, allows one to change the pitch and angle of the thumb hole only at the expense of changing the span.

The various aspects and modifications of the present invention will be made more clearly apparent by reference to the following drawings and accompanying description.

FIGURE 1 depicts a direct view of a bowling ball measuring device employing the present invention as seen from a position directly in front of the thumb receiving unit.

FIGURE 2 is a cross-section of the measuring device of FIGURE 1 taken through the thumb plug retainer or receiving unit.

FIGURES 3 to 5 show variations of the angle of the thumb hole defined by the present configuration.

FIGURE 6 is a detailed cross section of a typical thumb plug adapted to be inserted in the thumb plug retainer of the present invention.

FIGURE 7 is a cross-section taken through the thumb plug retainer of the present invention, and also illustrates a preferred structure for defining the position of the thumb plug to be inserted and held therein.

Referring more particularly to FIGURES 1 and 2, ball configuration 10 simulates a bowling ball and is provided with various structures to permit the precise measuring of the hand of the prospective user so that the sizes of both fingers and thumb, the relative positions of the thumb and fingers, and the angle and pitch of both fingers and thumb, and particularly of the thumb hole, may be measured so that a regular bowling ball may be drilled in accordance with the measurements provided by the present invention.

Ball 10 has recesses 17 and 18 cut therein extending from its outer surface axially inwardly and across the ball parallel with the diameter thereof. In the present specific embodiment recesses 17 and 18 are actually the same although it is to be understood that a divider defining the movement of the finger receiving units 15 and 16 may divide these recesses. Variations in the relative surface position of the finger holes may also differentiate one recess from the other.

A second recess 14 is also cut in the ball and extends from the outer surface axially inwardly and at right angles to recesses 17 and 18. Recess 14 defines the pathway for the thumb hole measuring unit whereas recesses 17 and 18 define the passageway for finger receiving units 15 and 16.

The finger hole defining units shown may be those per se known in the art, e.g. see Rassner patent U.S. 2,709,853. However, it is preferably a unique configuration as depicted in the drawing wherein medial lines 0 and d divide passageway through the finger hole receiving unit as well as dividing the finger holes determined therein (they lie on the lateral bisecting diameter of the finger holes), and simultaneously serving as a marker for reading measurements from scales 21. Thus the center position of the ultimate finger hole to be drilled is readily indicated as the point opposite lines 0 and d on scale 21.

The finger hole defining unit comprises finger receiving units 15 and 16 which are individually movable along the line of curvature of the ball and finger plugs 19 and 35 which are adapted to fit the particular dimensions of the bowlers fingers and are inserted-in the passageway defined Within the finger receiving units. Typically, the finger plugs themselves are drilled so as to define a passageway which is eccentrical throughout and has a constant wall diameter at any given point on the circumference of the finger plug.

Typically, the desired positions of the fingers are first fixed, i.e. position of units 15 and 16, dimensions of the finger plugs as well as the degree of pitch of the plug openings, etc.

The necessary measurements may then be taken from the finger measuring scales 21, the finger plugs normally being marked with the diameter dimensions and chosen from a graduated series of such plugs.

The position of the finger receiving units is preferably fixed by the use of a pinch or clutch plate 20. A screw or other pressure promoting device, indicated by numeral 34', is employed to move plate 20 slightly laterally of its normal position and thus to either reduce or increase the pressure against the finger receiving units so as to permit their movement or fixation.

Having fixed the position of the finger holes, the thumb hole may then be fixed in accordance with the fconfiguration of the present invention. As shown in the drawing, carrier 11 or similar device is employed as a seat for the thumb hole defining configuration which comprises as its basic element thumb plug retainer 12. Carrier 11 and thus the entire thumb hole configuration may be laterally moved along recess 14 so as to permit the thumb hole to be left or right of the medial line of the fingers depending upon whetherthe bowler is right or left handed as well as the natural position of his grip.

It is highly preferred for ease of noting measurements for ultimate drilling that a measuring base line, e.g. line 24' of FIGURE 3, be fixed'on the thumb carrier 11 which bisects the surface opening in the passageway fixed by the thumb carrier configuration so as to position the point of drilling and the angle relative thereto. Thus in combination with the medial lines 0 and d of the finger holes, a direct span measurement can be read from scales 21 and accurate drilling facilitated.

The position of carrier 11 and thus the thumb hole defining configuration is normally chosen simultaneously during the measuring of the position of the finger holes so as to define the desired span length. Having defined the span length, carrier 11 is then held in this desired position. This is conveniently done by the use of pinch plate 37 and set screw 34 or similar device for laterally moving the pinch plate so as to increase or decrease the pressure against thumb carrier 11 in a manner similar to plate 20 and the finger units.

A highly desirable configuration with respect to the finger receiving units and the thumb carrier is that shown in greater detail in FIGURE 2. The relatively simple construction illustrated therein allows individual finger movement along the line of curvature of the surface of the ball by pendulum-like swing of the finger receiving units 15 and 16 and thumb carrier 11 along common rod or axis 22 which extends across a portion or all of the ball. As shown in FIGURE 2, carrier 11 is afiixed to said axis-defining supporting rod 22 by pendulum rod 31 which is afiixed to axis 22 by means of pin 32 or similar device. By simple swinging of carrier 11 in pendulum fashion about axis 22 in a direction across the plane of FIGURE 2, the relative position of the carrier (and thumb hole) in recess 14 may be varied as desired. Similarly finger receiving units 15 and 16 are individually mounted on axis 22 by means of supports 29 and 30. By a swinging pendulum-like movement in a plane perpendicular to the movement of the thumb carrier, the fingers similarly may be moved along the line of curvature of the surface of the ball within recesses 17 and 18 in accordance with the position desired.

Having now fixed the position of the fingers as well as the position of the thumb carrier, the span dimension is thus fixed. In accordance with the present invention this span dimension may be held constant while freely experimenting with and determining the desired pitch and angle of the passageway to be employed as the thumb hole. Thumb plug retainer 12 is normally one of a graduated series of thumb plug retainers having various degrees of pitch but all of which are characterized by defining a passageway concentrically positioned with respect to the top of the thumb plug retainer and eccentrically positioned with respect to the bottom of the thumb plug retainer. The degree of eccentricity of the thumb plug retainer is indicated as angle b in FIG- URE 2 and is referred to as the pitch. The thumb plug retainer is seated in carrier 11, its outer surface being generally cylindrically and adapted to fit in carrier 11. By simple rotation of the thumb plug retainer about axis Y the relative position of the eccentric passageway defined by the thumb plug retainer may be varied, i.e. the angle of the pitch may be varied. This angle of pitch is denoted angle a in FIGURE 1. FIGURES 3, 4 and 5 illustrate various angles of pitch of the thumb hole obtained by simple rotation of the thumb plug retainer in accordance with the present invention.

A thumb plug 13 of suitable diameter passageway therein (thumb hole) is chosen from a graduated series of thumb plugs having diameters of various sizes. Thumb plug 13 is adapted to be positioned in thumb plug retainer 12 as indicated in the drawings. The thumb plug 13 has walls 38 of essentially the same diameter throughout. Thus when it is positioned in thumb plug retainer 12 the rotation of the retainer and the thumb plug does not change the span length previously defined. Generally, both the thumb plug retainer and plug have a top surface curvature so that when they are in place they complement the curvature of ball 1%.

After rotation so as to define the specific angle of pitch most desired, generally thumb plug retainer 12 is held fixed in carrier It by means of a set screw or other retainer 33 fitted through carrier 11 and adapted to be varied with respect to its pressure on the thumb plug holder by means of an Allen wrench or similar device. As shown in detail in FIGURES 6 and 7, conveniently thumb plug retainer 12 may contain a groove defining element 26 into which groove 25 of the thumb plug 13 is fixed, thus holding it in position with respect to the thumb plug retainer. Additionally, set screw 27 or simi- 6 lar device is employed to confine thumb plug 13 within retainer 12 in a manner such that the upper surfaces of the retainer and thumb plug conform to the line of curvature of the surface of the ball.

Numeral 36 denotes the passageway provided for set screw 27 whereas numeral 28 defines the passageway adapted to receive thumb plug 13, said passageway being characterized by being concentrically positioned with respect to the top of the thumb plug retainer 12 and eccentrically positioned with respect to the bottom of thumb plug retainer 12.

As noted previously lateral thumb scale 23 is employed to set the center line of the position of the thumb receiving hole defined in accordance with the present invention. It is generally desirable to utilize angular markers 24 on the carrier 11 to signify the angular direction of the pitch of the thumb hole with the degree of pitch normally marked on each individual thumb plug retainer.

FIGURES 3 to 5 show various angles of pitch defined by the present thumb measuring device, FIGURE 3 showing a direct forward pitch, FIGURE 5 a direct reverse pitch and FIGURE 4 a pitch to the right of about Of course, the actual position of the thumb hole will also depend on the degree of pitch characterizing the specific thumb plug retainer utilized, FIGURES 3 to 5 showing variations of angle for a thumb plug retainer of given pitch.

A typical example of the dimensions of the various elements noted previously is set forth as follows:

Finger receiving units 15 and 16 are positioned at about the same point on the line of curvature of the surface of ball 10 and conforming to medial lines 0 and d of the finger plug retainer being opposite unit 4.0 along finger measuring scales 21. The holes in finger plugs 19 and 35 having diameters of inch and inch respectively are bored olf-center of each of the finger plugs. The center of the thumb hole which is indicated by a set marking on carrier 11 is approximately A3 units to the left of the medial line of finger plugs (marked 0) as indicated by thumb scale 23. Thumb plug retainer 12 has a total diameter of about 2 inches and an inside diameter of about 1% inches. In the present example the degree of slope or pitch of the hole to be drilled is /8 inch lineally forward from the center point of the ball. Thumb plug 12 has an inside diameter of inch and a uniform wall thickness and is adapted to be fitted within passageway 28 defined by the thumb plug retainer. The above units taken from the measuring scales may he in inches, millimeters, etc.

If it were desired to change the angle and pitch of the thumb hole to better suit the bowler being measured a thumb plug retainer having a different pitch could readily be inserted, no other changes, e.g. span, etc., thus occurring. Proper angle of the thumb hole is simply derived, without change of span, by rotating the thumb plug retainer containing thumb plug 13 therein, to give the desired angle of pitch, such being derived directly by the individual choosing the most comfortable position.

Various modifications may be made to the present invention. While the drawings illustrate an exceptionally desirable configuration for measuring a bowlers desired bowling grip and characterized by the use of a common axis about which both finger receiving units and the thumb receiving unit can be swung to impart motion to each respectively along the curvature of the surface of the ball, various other configurations for adjusting the position of the fingers may be employed.

The present invention, at least in part, resides in the use of a thumb plug retainer characterized by having a passageway therethrough, which passageway is concentrically positioned with respect to the top of said retainer and eccentrically positioned with respect to the bottom of said retainer. Numerous ways of modifying this basic concept may suggest themselves to those skilled in the art. For example, though not normally desired, the present thumb plug retainer configuration may be employed in a bowling ball actually to be used for bowling. Other than the thumb plug retainer and plug, all other structures may be in fixed positions. In those cases wherein swelling of the bowlers thumb or change in his style of delivery, etc., require variation either in dimension of the thumb hole or the angle or pitch of the thumb hole, these modifications are readily made by changing the particular thumb plug (for change of diameter) and/ or thumb plug retainer (for change of pitch) and/or rotating the retainer to change angular position. Similarly it is possible to change the span length without change of angle of pitch of the thumb hole by employing a thumb plug which is eccentrically drilled so that the variations in its wall thickness would provide a change of span.

I Having described the present invention, that which is sought to be protected is set forth in the following claims.

What is claimed is:

1. An improved device for taking measurements for the construction of a bowling ball which comprises:

(a) A ball simulating a bowling ball and having a recess cut therein, said recess being adapted to receive finger receiving units;

(12) A second recess extending at right angles to said first recess and adapted to receive a thumb carrier;

(c) Said finger receiving units being positioned within said first recess and being adapted to move within said recess along the line of curvature of the surface of the ball cut out by said recess;

(d) Said thumb carrier being positioned within said second recess in a manner permitting it to move laterally along the line of curvature of the surface of said ball out by said second recess;

(e) Said carrier and said finger receiving units being mounted on a common axis, said carrier being mounted to swing in pendulum-like fashion in a plane substantially perpendicular to the plane in which said finger receiving units are similarly mounted to swing in pendulum-like fashion;

(f) Clutch plates positioned within each of said recesses along the line'ot movement of said finger receiving units and said thumb carrier respectively, said clutch plates being adapted to be moved across the line of movement of each of said finger receiving units and said thumb carrier so as to inhibit the movement of said units when said plates are moved toward said units and adapted to allow free movement of said units when moved in the opposite direction;

(g) A plurality of thumb plug retainers of substantially cylindrical outer diameter, each of said thumb plug retainers having a passageway bored therein wherein said passageway in each case is characterized by being concentrically positioned with respect to the top of the thumb plug retainer and eccentrically positioned with respect to the bottom of the thumb plug, retainer, said thumb plug retainers having a graduated series of pitches for the passageways bored therein, each retainer being adapted to be fitted within said thumb plug carrier and to be rotated about its longitudinal axis therein;

(h) A plurality of thumb plugs being adapted to fit within the passageways of said thumb plug retainer, said thumb plugs having bores of graduated diameters so as to fit various thumb sizes, each of said thumb plugs having a relatively constant wall diameter along its length.

2. A measuring device for fitting bowling balls which comprises: a ball-shaped structure simulating a bowling ball; a recess cut therein adapted to receive a thumb carrier and to permit lateral movement thereof along the line of curvature of said ball-shaped structure; said thumb carrier being adapted to receive a thumb plug retainer having a passageway bored therein and to allow said retainer to be rotated about its axis Within said carrier; a plurality of thumb plug retainers each adapted to be fitted within said carrier, each of said thumb plug retainers having a passageway bored therethrough which is characterized by being concentrically positioned with respect to the top of said thumb plug retainer and eccentrically positioned with respect to the bottom of said thumb plug retainer, said thumb plug retainers having a graduated series of pitches for said passageways bored therethrough; and a series of thumb plugs adapted to be fitted into said passageways of said thumb plug retainers, said thumb plugs having graduated sized passageways bored therein so as to fit various thumb sizes; a second recess cut adapted to receive a plurality of finger carriers and to permit movement of said finger carriers along the line of curvature of said ball-shaped structure substantially at a right angle to said thumb carrier recess cut; said thumb carrier and said finger carriers being pivotably mounted on a common axial rod, said thumb carrier being adapted to pivot about said axial rod and move within its recess cut while said finger carriers are adapted to pivot about said axial red at right angles to the pivotal movement of said thumb carrier and move within said second recess cut, the mounting connection of said finger carriers to said axial rod being spaced sufficiently apart and defining an open area about the mounting connection of said thumb carrier so as to permit free pivotable movement of said thumb carrier about said axial rod.

3. In a bowling ball measuring device having a bowling ball configuration, a plurality of recesses cut therein disposed at right angles to each other, wherein a first of said recesses is adapted to contain a plurality of finger carriers which move along the line of curvature of said ball at right angles to said thumb carrier, the improvement which comprises pivotably mounting said thumb carrier and finger carriers on a common axial rod; said thumb carrier being connected to said axial rod by a pendulum rod which is pin connected to said axial rod, said thumb carrier being adapted to pivot about said axial rod within said first recess; said finger carriers being I mounted by support elements to said axial rod at either side of said thumb carrier rod connection and at a distance therefrom and being adapted to pivot about said axial rod within said second recess at a right angle to the pivotal movement of said thumb carrier; said finger carrier support elements being sufficiently distanced apart and defining an open area about said thumb carrier pendulum rod connection to said axial rod so as to permit free pivotable movement of said thumb carrier about said axial rod at right angles to the pivotal movement of said finger carriers.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

2. A MEASURING DEVICE FOR FITTING BOWLING BALLS WHICH COMPRISES: A BALL-SHAPED STRUCTURE SIMULATING A BOWLING BALL; A RECESS CUT THEREIN ADAPTED TO RECEIVE A THUMB CARRIER AND TO PERMIT LATERAL MOVEMENT THEREOF ALONG THE LINE OF CURVATURE OF SAID BALL-SHAPED STRUCTURE; SAID THUMB CARRIER BEING ADAPTED TO RECEIVE A THUMB PLUG RETAINER HAVING A PASSAGEWAY BORED THEREIN AND TO ALLOW SAID RETAINER TO BE ROTATED ABOUT ITS AXIS WITHIN SAIC CARRIER; A PLURALITY OF THUMB PLUG RETAINERS EACH ADAPTED TO BE FITTED WITHIN SAID CARRIER, EACH OF SAID THUMB PLUG RETAINERS HAVING A PASSAGEWAY BORED THERETHROUGH WHICH IS CHARACTERIZED BY BEING CONCENTRICALLY POSITIONED WITH RESPECT TO THE TOP OF SAID THUMB PLUG RETAINER AND ECCENTRICALLY POSITIONED WITH RESPECT TO THE BOTTOM OF SAID THUMB PLUG RETAINER, SAID THUMB PLUG RETAINERS HAVING A GRADUATED SERIES OF PITCHES FOR SAID PASSAGEWAYS BORED THERETHROUGH; AND A SERIES OF THUMB PLUGS ADAPTED TO BE FITTED INTO SAID PASSAGEWAYS OF >AID THUMB PLUG RETAINERS, SAID THUMB PLUGS HAVING GRADUATED SIZED PASSAGEWAYS BORED THEREIN SO AS TO FIT VARIOUS THUMB SIZES; A SECOND RECESS CUT ADAPTED TO RECEIVE A PLURALITY OF FINGER CARRIERS AND TO PERMIT MOVEMENT OF SAID FINGER CARRIERS ALONG THE LINE OF CURVATURE OF SAID BALL-SHAPED STRUCTURE SUBSTANTIALLY AT A RIGHT ANGLE TO SAID THUMB CARRIER RECESS CUT; SAID THUMB CARRIER AND SAID FINGER CARRIERS BEING PIVOTALLY MOUNTED ON A COMMON AXIAL ROD, SAID THUMB CARRIER BEING ADAPTED TO PIVOT ABOUT SAID AXIAL ROD AND MOVE WITHIN ITS RECESS CUT WHILE SAID FINGER CARRIERS ARE ADAPTED TO PIVOT ABOUT SAID AXIAL ROD AT RIGHT ANGLES TO THE PIVOTAL MOVEMENT OF SAID THUMB CARRIER AND MOVE WITHIN SAID SECOND RECESS CUT, THE MOUNTING CONNECTION OF SAID FINGER CARRIERS TO SAID AXIAL ROD BEING SPACED SUFFICIENTLY APART AND DEFINING AN OPEN AREA ABOUT THE MOUNTING CONNECTION OF SAID THUMB CARRIER SO AS TO PERMIT FREE PIVOTABLE MOVEMENT OF SAID THUMB CARRIER ABOUT SAID AXIAL ROD. 